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DNA is the ultimate target of platinum-based anticancer therapy. Since the N7 of guanine is known to be the major binding site of cisplatin and its analogues, adduct formation with model nucleotides, especially 2'-deoxyguanosine 5'-monophosphate (dGMP), has been studied in detail. During the last few years a coupled capillary eletrophoresis/electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry (CE/ESI-MS) method has been advantageously used in order to separate and identify platinum adducts with nucleotides in submillimolar concentrations in aqueous solutions. Beside the bisadduct, [Pt(NH(3))(2)(dNMP)(2)](2-) (NMP=2'-deoxynucleoside 5'-monophosphate), and the well-known monochloro and monohydroxo adducts, [Pt(NH(3))(2)Cl(dNMP)](-) and [Pt(NH(3))(2)(dNMP)OH](-), respectively, a third kind of monoadduct species with a composition of [Pt(NH(3))(2)(dNMP)](-) can be separated by CE and detected through the m/z values measured with ESI-MS. Different experimental setups indicate the existence of an O(6)-N7 chelate, whereas the formation of N7-alphaPO(4) macrochelates or dinuclear species is unlikely. Additionally, offline MS experiments with 2'-deoxyguanosine (dG) and stabilization of the controversially discussed O(6)-N7 chelate by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide support the assumption of the existence of O(6)-N7 chelation.

Platinum adducts are supposed to be the cytotoxic lesions in DNA after platinum-containing anticancer therapy. Various adducts are formed upon interaction of platinum complexes with nucleotides, but contribution of individual adducts to antitumor activity and toxicity of platinum complexes still remains to be examined. A capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method is described that is suitable to separate individual platinum adducts. We investigated the formation of adducts following the reaction of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (cisplatin) with various DNA nucleotides. Baseline separation of unmodified and modified nucleotides (adducts) was achieved using uncoated fused-silica capillaries and basic separation buffers. In order to elucidate the observed peak pattern, a coupled CZE-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI)-MS approach was applied. After incubation of mononucleotides with cisplatin, monochloro, monoaqua and bifunctional adduct species were detected. Consequently, the migration order of nucleotides and individual platinum adducts could be determined. Moreover, the time-dependent conversion from monochloro to monoaqua and subsequently to bifunctional adducts was monitored. In conclusion, individual platinum adducts were separated by CZE and identified by CZE-ESI-MS. Formation and conversion of distinct species were confirmed. Potential applications comprise studies of novel platinum complexes, investigations of platinum-adduct formation with DNA, and determination of platinum-DNA adducts in cells.

PEMF-induced transmembrane transfer of H + ions into blood vessel walls and the electrostriction phenomenon play a major role in the functioning of bioenergetic and receptor systems. This explains the following changes in our measured indicators of effects. 1. The pH is low, and hence p CO 2 is high, in the capillaries where oxygen is separated from hemoglobin, which results in a high p O 2 and dilatation moment in the arteries and veins. 2. A low pH in the cerebrospinal fluid (4th ventricle) and adjacent tissues increases the respiration amplitude. 3. A low pH in the vaguscenter reduces the heart beat frequency, and the pH determines the net charge of proteins and the level of enzyme activity. 4. A low pH in the vessel walls increases the sensitivity of the baroreceptors, which are stimulated by the microvibration due to mechanical electrostriction and which in consequence reduce the central sympathetic tonus. Therefore it appears that the transfer of hydrogen ions from blood to tissue is a primary working mechanism of our type of PEMF with the effects described above.